Chapter 11

ISABELLA'S POV
The vibrator lies beside me. The orgasm poured out through my pores, my skin, my everywhere.

As the video call ended, I rested a bit more. Then, I changed my sheets, had my bath, and brushed my teeth. As I lay on the bed again, completely exhausted, I couldn't help but wonder why Mr. L didn't want to accept me as a sub at first.

Was it because he didn't think I was pretty enough when he opened the video?

Or did he not like my body figure or voice? Why did he change his mind then?

Was it because he felt like I was being such a slut?

Did he change his mind just because of the pleasure of sex?

Sex was an indispensable part of our relationship, yes, but we couldn't maintain this relationship just because of sex.

There needs to be trust, and he has to like me.

~~~~


The next day dawned with a bite in the air, the onset of March ushering in a sudden chill. Press releases seemed to proliferate, each one a reminder of the impending new season. With budget constraints looming overhead, the team faced the grim necessity of slashing staff numbers to redirect funds toward improving the cars, aiming to stave off further complications.

Mark lamented the dwindling ranks of the PR department, once bustling with personnel, now reduced to a mere handful, with interns left to shoulder the burden. Under Levi's newly assumed leadership, the demands of the job had become even more stringent.

My workspace was a cramped cubicle nestled among others, a maze of gray partitions forming a miniature office ecosystem. The air hummed with the soft whir of computers and the murmur of muted conversations. As I settled into my assigned spot, I couldn't shake the feeling of scrutiny from my fellow interns, their gazes bearing down on me with varying degrees of suspicion and disdain which I'm sure Clara caused.

Amidst this atmosphere of unease, June stood out from the rest. When I arrived, she greeted me with a smile, a welcome sight among the wary looks around us.

As I settled into my cubicle, she approached, leaning casually against the edge of my desk.

"Hi, Isabella," June greeted me, her smile brightening the space between us.

"Hi, June," I replied, returning her smile as I powered up my computer.

"So, I heard you and the boss went on a trip to Switzerland," she remarked, her tone casual but curious.

"Yeah, it was strictly business," I assured her, anticipating the inevitable questions to come.

"Did you two share a hotel room?" June inquired, her curiosity piqued.

I shook my head. "No, of course not," I answered quickly, hoping to quell any rumors before they began.

As I spoke, my laptop emitted a soft beep, signaling the arrival of a new email. I glanced at the screen, noting the late hour stamped on the message from Levi, realizing it was sent around 11 o'clock last night in Italy.

"Isn't he in Japan right now?" I mused aloud, a frown creasing my brow. "It must be late at night over there. Is he still working at this hour?"

The thought only added to my mounting stress.

"Sorry, June, duty calls. We'll catch up later," I said hastily, my mind already consumed by the impending workload.

"Sure thing. Don't rush off too fast," June replied with a playful wink before sauntering away. Despite her friendly demeanor, a nagging thought lingered in my mind: was she genuinely interested in my well-being, or just here for the office gossip?

Pushing the speculation aside, I turned my attention to the task at hand. Opening Levi's email, I was greeted with a daunting assignment for the public relations department ahead of the new season. With a heavy heart, I downloaded the attached document, bracing myself for what lay within.

Page after page, the work requirements loomed before me, each word more intimidating than the last. Levi had meticulously outlined the tasks, expectations, and emergency protocols for the upcoming season. Recalling his recent discussions with Toyota's Japanese suppliers, I couldn't help but wonder why the burden of this workload fell squarely on my shoulders.

"Why am I stuck with all this?" I whined, feeling a surge of frustration bubble up inside me. In a moment of adolescent defiance, I stomped my foot on the ground, earning a few curious glances from my colleagues.

I felt eyes on me and saw Clara whispering to Mr. Alex while they both stared at me. I wondered what she was planning.



In the afternoon, the PR department convened for their regular meeting to review the morning's influx of emails. The discussion stretched on for nearly two hours, with Mark and Levi delving into the minutiae of the documents. Levi joined the meeting via Zoom, his face projected onto the conference room screen. As I listened to him speak, I found myself captivated by his presence, unable to tear my gaze away. There was something familiar about his voice.

"Isabella, are you taking notes along with everyone else?" Levi's voice broke through my reverie, pulling me back to reality. I realized I had been lost in thought, caught up in the sound of his voice.

"Yes, sir," I replied hastily, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment as I hurried to resume my note-taking, eager to regain my focus.

Upon returning to the office after the lengthy meeting, I found June loitering by my desk, her excitement palpable. "I have news for you," she announced eagerly, snatching my notes and laptop from my hands before I could protest. With a firm grip on my hand, she led me away, leaving me bewildered.

"Where are you taking me?" I protested weakly, but June remained tight-lipped, her expression mischievous.

Before I knew it, we were standing in the dimly lit storeroom, the door closing behind us with a soft click. I folded my arms across my chest, eyeing June expectantly. "Well, what's the news?" I prompted, my curiosity piqued.

"Shhh. This is for your ears only. Mr. Levi has a girlfriend" she whispered, staring my eyes. What??